Complications During Pregnancy and Delivery

Overview

Most pregnancies occur without complications. However, some women who are
pregnant will experience complications that can involve their health, their
baby's health, or both. Sometimes, diseases or conditions the mother had before
she became pregnant can lead to complications during pregnancy. Some complications
occur during delivery.

Even with complications, early detection and prenatal care can reduce any
further risk to you and your baby.

Some of the most common complications of pregnancy include:

high blood pressure

gestational diabetes

preeclampsia

preterm labor

a loss of pregnancy, or miscarriage

Who
is at risk for complications?

If you already have a chronic condition or illness, talk to your doctor
about how to minimize any complications before you get pregnant. If you’re
already pregnant, your doctor may need to monitor your pregnancy.

Some examples of common diseases and conditions that can cause complications
during your pregnancy include:

diabetes

cancer

high blood pressure

infections

sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV

kidney problems

epilepsy

anemia

Other factors that may increase your risk for complications include:

being pregnant at age 35 or older

being pregnant at a young age

having an eating disorder like anorexia

smoking cigarettes

using illegal drugs

drinking alcohol

having a history of pregnancy loss or preterm birth

carrying multiples, such as twins or triplets

What are the most common pregnancy and labor complications?

The normal symptoms of pregnancy and the symptoms of complications are
sometimes hard to distinguish. Although many problems are mild and don’t
progress, you should always contact your doctor if you have any concerns during
your pregnancy. Most pregnancy complications are manageable with prompt
treatment.

These are the most common complications women experience during pregnancy:

High blood pressure

High blood pressure occurs when the arteries that carry blood from the heart
to the organs and the placenta are narrowed. High blood pressure is associated
with a higher risk of many other complications, like preeclampsia. It puts you
at a higher risk of having a baby well before your due date. This is called preterm
delivery. It also increases your risk of having a baby who’s small. It’s
important to control your blood pressure with medications during pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs when your body cannot process sugars
effectively. This leads to higher-than-normal levels of sugar in the bloodstream.
Some women will need to modify their meal plans to help control blood sugar
levels. Others may need to take insulin to keep their blood sugar levels in
control. Gestational diabetes usually resolves after pregnancy.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is also called toxemia. It occurs after the first 20 weeks of a
pregnancy and causes high blood pressure and problems with your kidneys. The only
cure for preeclampsia is delivering the baby early. A doctor may induce labor
if you’re 37 to 40 weeks pregnant.

If it’s too early to deliver your baby, your doctor will need to monitor you
and your baby closely. They may prescribe medications or recommend bed rest at
home or in the hospital for the rest of the pregnancy term.

Preterm labor

Preterm labor occurs when you go into labor before week 37 of your
pregnancy. This is before your baby’s organs, such as the lungs and the brain,
have finished developing. Certain medications can stop labor. Doctors usually
recommend bed rest to keep the baby from being born too early.

Miscarriage

A miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy during the first 20 weeks. According
to the American
Pregnancy Association (APA), up to 20 percent of pregnancies among healthy
women will end in a miscarriage. Sometimes, this happens before a woman is even
aware of the pregnancy. In most cases, miscarriage isn’t preventable.

A loss of pregnancy after week 20 of pregnancy is called a stillbirth. Many
times the cause for this isn’t known. Issues that have been found to cause
stillbirths include:

problems with the placenta

chronic health issues in the mother

infections

Anemia

Anemia means that you have a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells in
your body. If you have anemia, you may feel more tired and weak than usual, and
you may have pale skin. Anemia has many causes and your doctor will need to treat
the underlying cause of the anemia. Taking supplements of iron and folic acid
during your pregnancy may help since most cases of anemia occur due to a
deficiency.

Infections

A variety of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections may complicate a pregnancy.
Infections can be harmful to both the mother and the baby, so it’s important to
seek treatment right away. Some examples include:

a urinary tract infection

bacterial vaginosis

cytomegalovirus

group B Streptococcus

hepatitis B virus, which can spread to your baby during
birth

influenza

toxoplasmosis, which is an infection caused by a parasite
found in cat feces, soil, and raw meat

a yeast infection

Zika virus

You can prevent some infections by washing your hands often. You can prevent
others, such as hepatitis B virus and influenza, by vaccination.

Labor complications

Complications can also occur during labor and delivery. If there’s a problem
during labor, your doctor may need to change the way they proceed with the
delivery.

Breech position

A baby is considered in a breech position when their feet are positioned to
be delivered before their head. According to the APA,
this occurs in about 4 percent of full-term births.

Most babies born in this position are healthy. You doctor will recommend
against a vaginal birth if your baby shows signs of distress or is too big to
pass safely through the birth canal. If your doctor finds out that your baby is
in the breech position a few weeks before delivery, they might try to change
the position of the baby. If the baby is still in the breech position when
labor starts, most doctors recommend a cesarean delivery.

Placenta previa

Placenta previa means that the placenta is covering the cervix. Doctors will
usually perform a cesarean delivery if this is the case.

Low birth weight

Low birth weight usually occurs due to poor nutrition or the use of cigarettes,
alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Babies who are born at a low birth weight
have a higher risk of:

respiratory infections

learning disabilities

heart infections

blindness

The baby may need to stay in the hospital for a few months after birth.

When to call your doctor

If you’re pregnant, don’t hesitate to call your doctor if there are any
signs of a problem. Call your doctor right away if you experience any of the
following:

bleeding from the vagina

sudden swelling of the hands or face

a pain in the abdomen

a fever

severe headaches

dizziness

persistent vomiting

blurred vision

You should also call your
doctor if you think your baby is suddenly moving less often than usual during
the third trimester.

How
can you prevent complications?

Not all complications are preventable. The following steps may help promote
a healthy pregnancy and prevent you from having a high-risk pregnancy:

If you’re thinking of becoming pregnant, consult with a
doctor beforehand to help you prepare. For example, if you already have a
pre-existing medical condition, your doctor may recommend adjusting your
treatment to prepare for your pregnancy.

Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables,
lean protein, and fiber.

Take prenatal vitamins daily.

In general, the Mayo Clinic recommends a total of
25 to 35 pounds of weight gain for women who were at a healthy weight
before pregnancy.

Attend all routine prenatal visits, including those
with a specialist if one is recommended.

Quit smoking if you smoke.

Avoid alcohol and illegal drugs.

Ask your doctor if the medications you’re already
taking are okay to continue taking or if you should stop taking them.

Reduce your stress levels. Listening to music and doing
yoga are two ways to reduce your stress levels.

This feature is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the care and information received from your health care provider. Please consult a health care professional with any health concerns you may have.